The gap between stated importance of and clinical work in promoting healthy lifestyle habits by healthcare professionals in a Swedish hospital setting: A cross-sectional survey

The objective of this study was to explore the stated importance of promoting healthy lifestyle habits (alcohol, eating habits, physical activity and tobacco) by healthcare professionals, and to what extent these attitudes were translated into clinical work. In 2014, healthcare professionals (n = 251) from cardiology departments in two hospitals in Stockholm, Sweden, participated in a cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire-based survey. The questionnaire included topics regarding stated importance and clinical work undertaken to promote healthy lifestyle habits. Personal and organisational factors of potential importance, expectations and future work were also explored. To analyse differences in stated importance and clinical work within and between lifestyle factors, comparisons of proportions were performed with 99% confidence intervals (CI). Relationships between stated importance and clinical work were investigated using logistic regression. The majority of healthcare professionals stated that it was 'very important' to promote healthy lifestyle habits among patients in general (69%-94%) and in their own clinical work (63%-80%). Despite this, always asking questions (18%-41%) or providing counselling (11%-23%) regarding lifestyle habits was reported to be rare. Overall, tobacco cessation was considered the most important behavioural change and was more often included in clinical work compared to promoting physical activity, healthy eating habits and limiting alcohol use. Clinical work was mainly influenced by to what extent the healthcare professional perceived clear organisational routines and objectives. In conclusion, we observed a gap between stated importance and clinical work in the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits among healthcare professionals. There were differences between lifestyle factors, indicating that work with tobacco cessation is the most established. Our results suggest that in order to promote patients' lifestyle habits in line with evidence-based guidelines, healthcare management should focus on and improve organisational routines and objectives.

Automated summary

The study found a gap between the stated importance and actual clinical work in promoting healthy lifestyle habits among healthcare professionals. Tobacco cessation was considered the most important behavior change and received more attention in clinical work compared to promoting physical activity, healthy eating habits, and limiting alcohol use. The clinical work was mainly influenced by the clarity of organizational routines and objectives perceived by healthcare professionals.